English
Tea time. Photo by Calum Lewis – Unsplash
50 Finger-Licking Street Foods to Try in London
Surely, the stereotype of “British food is absolutely awful” has faded by this moment. After all, Anthony Bourdain spent a full episode of his tv series praising the British culinary great change. You no longer have to struggle whilst other members of the family fancy a visit to London. In any case, be ready for your mouth to water. These are the must-eat London foods you should try, regardless of how long you stay.
1.Toad in the hole
This batter pudding meal has an unusual name however, it does not include any amphibians, frogs or toads. It was invented in the 18th century in the United Kingdom however, nobody knows how it obtained its name. What we do recognize is that it’s a tasty and stuffing combination of sausages and Yorkshire pudding batter (Yorkshire pudding is yet another iconic British meal).
Toad in the hole, including several iconic English recipes, was a helpful method for distributing food in lower income populations. It’s still a popular snack, with well-preserved serving traditions like marinating the crunchy batter in onion sauce. It’s more popular in the north of England, where the Yorkshire pudding core came from. The batter in the south is typically smoother and a lot more buttery.
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2.English breakfast
Full English breakfast for four spread across a café table. Photo by Joel Goodman – Unsplash
Perhaps you’ve recently learned of the English Breakfast or know it by another name: the Full Breakfast (or, to make it a little more specific it goes by, the “Full English Breakfast”). Breakfast is very well-balanced with bacon, eggs, sausages, black pudding, tomatoes, baked beans, mushrooms and some bread. It is typically consumed with tea or coffee to provide a complete begin to the morning. (Not to mention the caffeine!)
The English Breakfast is one of the finest London meals, and it is available in several coffee shops and bars at all hours throughout the day. This stable food can be dated back to medieval Anglo-Saxon cultures, when serving a big breakfast to visitors, close family members and neighbors was extremely popular. Currently, you can devour it after a couple too many beers at the bar the night before, or after your airplane ride to London, and discover why it’s also one of the finest hangover and jet lag natural remedies you will ever discover.
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3.Beef wellington
Beef Wellington is an iconic meal that can be offered in swanky or traditional eateries throughout London. It is significantly rich, with a steak covered in pate and mushrooms, rolled up in puff pastry and put in the oven. Simpson’s in the Strand, which has been present since 1828 and was Winston Churchill’s favorite dining spot, is the ideal place to sample this rich meal. Chef Gordon Ramsey is also frequently associated with this meal, which can be sampled at his Heddon Street Kitchen.
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4.Jellied eels
This meal initially originated in the 1800s in London’s East End. It was a healthy and cost-effective dish for the lower occupational populations. They could also fetch the eels themselves because they were abundant in London’s most renowned river, the Thames.
Eel has become considered an old English (East End) popular dish, owing to the scarcity of jellied eel stores. It’s diced and provided in a spicy fish sauce that serves as the jelly base. While vinegar is the typical and recommended sauce, chili vinegar has become popular in recent years.
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5.Fish and chips
Fish and chips is a tasty fried meal made up of batter-coated, fried fish and chips. This delicious yet simple dish started in the UK and has since grown into one of the most iconic London meals. It is best enjoyed hot and as a main meal, although it is also available as a takeout treat from food shops throughout London.
During the First and Second World Wars, the British government guaranteed that there was a sufficient amount of fish and chips. This implied that the meal was not liable to scarcity, which enhanced its prominence even more.
Don’t dismiss this masterpiece: more and more cooks are cooking fish and chips with good quality, fresh ingredients that will change your perception of this “cheap” meal.
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6.Sunday Roast
Another legendary meal from the United Kingdom. If you’re going to a pizza pasta eatery, save it for a later date and use this Sunday to try their classical Sunday roast with Yorkshire Pudding. It is available with turkey, beef, chicken, lamb and vegetables. Request for your Sunday Roast with a side of Yorkshire pudding for a delicious meal for your taste buds.
7.Afternoon cream tea with scones
Blueberry scones with flowers. Photo by Brooke Lark- Unsplash
The afternoon cream tea encounter has eloquent, upper class community roots dating back to the nineteenth century. It was a staple of royalty dining experience a long time ago. It was initiated by the rich people as a light dish for those who were hungry prior to having dinner. The tiny-sized cucumber sandwiches and pastries of the time are still popular to this day.
Earl Grey tea will be readily available and scones with cream and jam as well as fresh strawberries are best suited. You can also select from a selection of exquisite desserts and sandwiches reminiscent of Victorian socialites. Afternoon cream tea is typically served at 3:00 p.m.
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8.Bacon sandwich
Bacon sandwiches are a widely known breakfast and lunch item in the United Kingdom. Nevertheless, don’t be shocked if you notice various names for the bacon sandwich from English residents.
For instance, in Yorkshire, it is known as a “bacon sarnie or bacon butty,” and in other areas of Britain, it is known as a bacon roll, rasher sandwich, bacon barm, or bacon muffin.
Regardless of the various names given to bacon sandwiches in the United Kingdom, the meal itself is relatively basic: fried bacon on bread, topped with ketchup or brown sauce.
9.Bangers and mash
To begin with, bangers are sausages, just so everyone can understand what I am taking about. They got their name from how they used to erupt from their skins while being cooked. Pork has long been a favorite for English residents, dating back to the time when we measured the size of a forest by the number of pigs it could hold. Given current shifts in healthier lifestyles, this remains one of London’s most widely known local dishes. It’s best served with a mound of buttery mashed potatoes and a rich onion sauce.
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10.Eton mess
This decadent snack was named after Eton College, near Windsor, and has been available since the1900’s. It’s commonly eaten in the spring or summer and is made of grinded merangue, whipped cream, and strawberries. Classical types can be found on dessert menus across London however, several eateries also provide contemporary twists on the meal, occasionally substituting ice cream for the whipped cream. As it is a seasonal snack, it is recommended that you contact eateries ahead of time if you want to eat it.
11.Pie and mash
One faster and easier dish is pie and mash, which contains of a minced-beef snack pie consumed with creamy mashed potatoes. It is usually served with a special parsley sauce known as liquor sauce.
Pie and mash originated as a conventional dish for the middle-class society during the Victorian period, when employees required smaller, inexpensive, mobile food to carry to work. The pies were useful because they were large and simple to transport.
Jellied eels were also a common middle-class dish meal once upon a time, which resulted in a rise in the amount of eel and pie stores in the United Kingdom. There aren’t too many (or any!) eel and pie stores left however, if you find one, please notify me.
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12.Welsh tea bread
Welsh tea bread is an English tradition prepared with seasonings and dried fruits. If you’re in London, make sure you have this tea bread before you leave. They offer it toasty and cut into thick slices. Ask any native about the finest area where Welsh tea bread is sold and proceed directly there. We’re sure you’ll thank us eventually.
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13.Sticky toffee pudding
This delectable pastry consists of a dark sponge cake made with sliced dates. The name entices the tastebuds to consider an extravagant delight, and it delivers. It’s spongy and sticky, almost melting in your mouth. Furthermore, no dish would be perfect without the toffee sauce finishing.
Sticky toffee pudding is generally eaten with vanilla or caramel ice cream, whipped cream, or custard. Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge, is one of its popular celebrities, claiming it is her favorite pastry.
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14.Spaghetti Bolognese
Pasta Bolognese on a plate. Photo by Aline Ang – Pexels
You might be wondering why an Italian meal is on this list. We understand… However, this is not as distinctively Italian as Alfredo. To be sure, the original Bolognese is a Bologna ragu. However, it doesn’t taste anything like the sauce we put on our spaghetti (which is definitely not the pasta shape it should be combined with). Despite the disappointment of many Italian chefs and visitors, “spag bol” is still the pinnacle of British stable meals. It’s typically prepared at home on a cold winter evening however, there are still areas where you can have it prepared for you.
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15.Scotch egg
A Scotch egg is one of the best culinary delights of Britain. It consists of a hard- or soft-boiled egg rolled up in ground sausage, breaded, and deep fried. It can be eaten hot or cold, with a condiment such as mustard, and is a bar regular feature. It is not a complete dish and should be eaten as an appetizer or a pub treat. Scotchtails, a kiosk in Borough Market that sells different types, such as vegan choices with beet and sweet potato, has some of the finest. For those who have never had a Scotch egg before, the “Traditional Lincolnshire” Scotch egg is the suggested purchase at the booth.
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16.Bubble and Squeak
Real enthusiasts of English meals will want to explore for Bubble & Squeak – a main dish for the “poor” originally from the1800’s that is possibly less well-known than a few of the other wonderful meals on this list. Bubble and Squeak, which is made of cooked potatoes and cabbage and fried in animal fat or butter into small round cakes, has evolved into a popular holiday meal in the United Kingdom because it is fantastic utilizing uneaten vegetables from a festive Season buffet. It’s also a prominent method for utilizing leftover vegetables from Sunday roast, so check with any diner that advertises that on the menu to see if they sell it.
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17.Cheese toastie
A toastie is a grilled sandwich in the United Kingdom, so a cheese toastie is a sandwich stuffed with cheese. If you enjoy cheese and bread, you’ll enjoy this toasted gooey hot sandwich.
As simple as it might be, it’s one of those favorite dishes you’ll want to eat again and again (unless you’re allergic to dairy products, in which case use lactose-free cheese).
For a cheese toastie, head to Kappacasein in Borough Market. They also serve delicious raclettes made with new potatoes, baby pickles, and pickled onions and covered with cream cheese.
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18.Haggis
It’s a traditional Scottish sausage made from sheep organs that they’re proud of. It is a Scottish passion, stuffed with oatmeal, onion and tallow. When you’re in town, give it a shot.
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19.Banoffee pie
An English treat with condensed milk as a key ingredient sounds very interesting. Its crumbled digestive biscuit 1st layer is also captivating (or a pastry base option). Banoffee pie is a delectable blend of cream, bananas, caramel sauce and, of course, condensed milk.
Nigel Mackenzie, a restaurant owner, is known for creating this sweet treat in 1971. And Banoffee pie is so recognizably British that it was featured prominently in the chick flick Love Actually.
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20.Chicken tikka masala
Chicken tikka masala curry. Photo by Raman – Unsplash
London, with its large South Asian community, is one of the finest cities on the planet for Indian and Pakistani cuisine. Chicken tikka masala is the standard bearer for the Anglo-Indian food culture that swept the nation after the British Civilization’s demise. Some suggest it to be their staple food, supposedly to have been generated by a curry house in Glasgow. The divine mixture of marinated chicken, yogurt, and seasonings ranging from garam masala to cumin is a one-of-a-kind portrayal of the country’s multifaceted heritage.
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21.Cockles
Cockles are a tasty shellfish that can be prepared and prepared with malt vinegar and white pepper. It’s a well-known street food that originated in East London. This delectable seafood dish is now a long – established Welsh regular feature. Breakfast is traditionally eaten with bacon and laverbread (not to be confused with real bread). Cockles have recently been prepared and offered in secured sachets to be devoured on the go; this can be found at Waitrose while exploring in London. If you enjoy seafood, you should eat this one-of-a-kind London dish.
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22.Jacket potato
A jacket potato, well recognized as a baked potato in some areas in the UK, is a simple and fast lunch.
As the title indicates, it contains of a baked potato with crunchy exterior and a soft interior. It can then be covered with a variety of stuffings, the most popular of which are butter, cheese, sour cream, gravy, baked beans, tuna, ham and even minced meat.
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23.Cider
It is a fermented apple beverage. Cider is made from more than 45% of the apples grown in the U.K. So, it’s reasonable to assume that this is their preferred alcoholic beverage. When visiting London, you should try a shot of cider.
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24.Shepherd’s pie
Shepherd’s pie is a favorite among Londoners, with its tasty stacks of grounded lamb or mutton, mashed potatoes, vegetable stuffing and cheese garnish. Many famous English meals from the 1700’s and 1800’s were created by families attempting to make the best of their leftover food, and this meal isn’t any different. Its creamy, cheesy top layer and stuffing of grounded meat and vegetables created it as a robust favorite instead of a cheap dish.
Its appearance in Harry Potter has caused a stir among book and movie viewers. There are numerous references however, the most important one occurs in Chapter 7, as Harry’s school suspension with Gilderoy Lockhart methods. And don’t confuse it with an equal British meal, cottage pie, which has beef stuffing rather than lamb or mutton.
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25.Cornish Pasty
Stuffing a puff pastry circle with raw meat and vegetables, then folding and securing the corners prior to actually baking, is how pasties are prepared. The stuffing is flavored with salt and pepper and prepared with beef, diced potatoes, turnips and onions. It’s the British version of an empanada, which is many people’s favorite street meal.
This easy but still scrumptious pastry is recognized as Cornwall’s staple food, accounting for up to 6% of the Cornish food economy. Pasties are prepared with a variety of stuffing, and you can choose your favorite when purchasing from a Pasty Shop.
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26.Bread and butter pudding
This is a classic bread pudding that is widely known in English meal.
Regardless of its name, the treat tastes far better than it appears. It’s made with buttered bread scattered with raisins and topped with a custard flavored with nutmeg, vanilla, as well as other seasonings and baked until golden brown.
However, this yummy pudding can be eaten cold or at room temperature, it is best served warm.
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27.Roast bone marrow
If you’ve ever eaten bone marrow in a fine dining establishment, you can thank London cook Fergus Henderson for placing it “on the map.” Anthony Bourdain’s preferred spot in London was his enormously successful St. John Restaurant in Barbican, which he recorded in every time he went there.
Naturally, St. John is the finest spot to sample roast bone marrow, which is provided with a parsley salad and crunchy bread. Greatest of all, it’s not too expensive at £14 per plate.
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28.Chelsea bun
A Chelsea Bun is a delightful form of berry bun that originally came in the 1800’s at the Bun House in Chelsea, London. It is nearly identical to a cinnamon roll however, a little different.
The bun is prepared with yeast dough flavored with lemon peel, cinnamon, and blended flavors. It’s then shaped into a square circle and covered with berries, brown sugar and butter.
These are occasionally coated with syrup, making the buns taste better and thicker.
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29.Parkin
Even without the flavorful custard, this spongy cake from northern England is a comforting snack for Bonfire Night or any other time. Parkin, which is thick with oats and flavored with cinnamon and ginger, becomes stickier the longer you leave it – but how long can you wait for…?
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30.Yorkshire pudding
A Yorkshire pudding on top of a Sunday Roast and gravy. Photo by Lisa Baker – Unsplash
Pudding conjures up images of a sweet and creamy custard served at the end of a dinner. In the United Kingdom, nevertheless, the situation is completely reverse. A Yorkshire pudding is a chunky bread-like snack with a crunchy shell and a soft, eggy interior, similar to a popover. It is usually eaten with roast beef to drench the gravy left on the plate.
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31.British mashed potatoes
Mashed potatoes are a popular side dish around the globe. They’re referred to as “mash” in the United Kingdom, and they taste the same.
They’re silky and soft, rich and creamy. In a nutshell, they’re fantastic.
The British mash, like American mashed potatoes, goes perfectly with nearly every sort of main dish, from pork chops and roast beef to fried chicken and fish.
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32.Mushy peas
Fish and chips’ formal third wheel is mushy peas. If you’re having fish and chips for either lunch or dinner, this is the side dish to accompany it. For a valid cause, they’re great mates.
Mushy peas are the ideal accompaniment to fish and chips, with an alluring greenish color and a rich, flavorful taste. Its soft and creamy texture makes it an excellent gravy or condiment!
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33.British scones
Everyone else in the world know them as biscuits; however, our English counterparts recognize them as scones. Scones, like biscuits, are marvelously fluffy and spongy on the inside with a crunchy outer layer. These baked treats are a traditional breakfast or teatime snack that are commonly eaten with butter, jam, or cream.
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34.Scottish tablet
The Scottish tablet resembles white fudge. When you chew into this pastry, you’ll immediately discover it’s not fudge. Scottish tablet is a medium-hard sweet with a rugged texture and a ridiculously sweet flavor. It’s also extremely rich and buttery, as it’s prepared with milk, sugar, butter, and condensed milk.
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35.English pickled onions
English Pickled Onions are a cultural icon! Pickled pearl onions in malt vinegar, sugar and seasonings. Usually consumed directly from the jar, cut up in sandwiches, or as an accompaniment to a delicious Ploughman’s lunch. Pearl onions are marinated for months in a combination of vinegar, sugar and many different seasonings.
They go well with sandwiches because of their mildly sweet and tangy flavor. They’re also a part of the ploughman’s lunch, which includes ham, bread, cheeses, vegetables and pickle relish.
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36.Cottage pie
Cottage pie is a traditional English staple meal that features two layers, one with spiced minced beef and topped with fluffy mashed potatoes. If this rings a bell, it’s because it is. Shepherd’s pie is remarkably similar to cottage pie, with the exception that the former is prepared with lamb rather than beef, thus the name “shepherd.”
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37.Jam Roly Poly
Numerous English puddings are made up of some sort of cake or sponge that is provided in a bowl of warm custard. A few miscreants recommend ice cream however, nothing beats a big bowl of vanilla custard. Jam Roly Poly is no different.
A suet-based sponge is stretched out and coated with jam prior to getting wrapped and slow-baked over a boiling water for steam. If the thought of adding suet – raw, hardened beef fat – to your pudding is too much for you, try this remake. The sponge is a pass between a cake and a cookie with only six ingredients!
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38.Mince pie
Christmas mince pies on red table. Photo by Marina Hannah – Unsplash
Mince pies used to have a mincemeat stuffing, which was a mixture of diced fruit, seasonings, and tallow (animal fat). Nevertheless, the fat has been pushed aside over the years, and all you’ll get now is dried fruit and seasonings. Is it still edible? Yes. Is it still worthy of recognition? Undoubtedly. In fact, mince pies are still regarded as a traditional English Christmas dish.
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39.Strawberry fool
Only fools will refuse a strawberry fool! Layers of strawberry-flavored whipped cream and diced fresh strawberries to make up this light and delightful snack.
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40.Scottish shortbread
Scottish Shortbread is possibly the ultimate teatime snack. These buttery, flaky cookies are basic, however, irresistible for some reason.
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41.British flapjacks
They are not pancakes. Flapjacks in the United Kingdom are oatmeal bars topped with a sugary and buttery syrup. They’re crunchy on the exterior but doughy on the interior. They taste like divinity in a mouthful! However, the favorite aspect is that they’re incredibly simple to make. You won’t even need a professional chef to pull it off, if you ever want to give it a try!
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42.Spotted dick
Spotted dick: it sounds silly, although it’s actually really good. A steamed pudding stuffed with berries and covered with creamy custard is a classic English sweet treat. I’m guessing it’s not at all what you expected! It’s simple to comprehend why it’s known as “spotted.” However, no one understands where the “dick” idea comes from.
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43.Traditional British mini-chicken and mushroom pie
I fully comprehend why the British love their flavorful pies. This chicken and mushroom pie will have you on the hook! Tender chicken bits and earthy mushrooms are encased in a thick stuffing and encased in a rich and crispy pastry crust. On a cold rainy day, a nibble of this delicious meal will help you warm up perfectly.
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44.Treacle tart
An iconic British pie with a buttery shortbread crust and a sweet lemon stuffing, Treacle tart. As it’s prepared with molasses or golden syrup, the stuffing is extra sticky. It’s also Harry Potter’s favorite snack, so if you’re a Potter fan, you must eat a treacle tart.
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45.Knickerbocker glory
Nothing beats a day at the beach followed by fish and chips and a Knickerbocker glory. This classic ice cream sundae should be provided in a tall glass with a long spoon. It should include red and white stripes from vanilla ice cream and raspberry sauce however, I won’t mind if you add some of your other preferred ingredients.
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46.Angels on Horseback
Wait until you try these bacon-wrapped oysters if you thought bacon-wrapped dates were tasty. I know oysters can be hit or miss however, if you don’t want to try them raw, this is a fantastic way to give them a try. Oysters have a buttery, sweet-and-salty flavor that is improved when cooked. They’ll also become more softer, which will make them feel more comfortable in your mouth.
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47.Lancashire hotpot
Lancashire hotpot is a lamb stew topped with finely diced potatoes. The stew is flavorful and rich, prepared in butter and thickened stew. Carrots are used in this dish to add color and crunch. The potatoes on top make the food a meal in and of itself however, it can also be served with steamed vegetables for a more filling lunch or dinner.
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48.London Fog (Earl Grey tea latte)
Tea drinking is not indigenous to the United Kingdom, believe it or not. The concept originated in prehistoric China and was only introduced to Western culture in the 1700’s. Irrespectively, tea has evolved into an important component of every British person’s life. Tea is as important to them as water!
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49.Eccles cakes
Hand crafted Eccles Cakes. Photo by Jonathan Farber – Unsplash
Eccles cakes appear simple exterior, however, take a bite and you’ll instantly be hooked. These mini cakes are absolutely amazing, with their crispy pastry outside and sweet and sticky fruit stuffing.
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50.Victoria sandwich
The Victoria sandwich, despite what its known as, it is a cake rather than a sandwich. It’s also possibly the most traditional English cake. It’s a layered sponge cake with a jam and sugary cream stuffing and a powdered sugar sprinkled on top. It’s easy however, this traditional cake is a must-eat for anyone visiting the UK.
